02 March 2017

One of the great pleasures of reading is stepping away from the
stresses and strains of our everyday lives to be transported to a
different place, a different time, or even a different galaxy. Other
books are, of course, great reservoirs of knowledge and truth. I seek
both experiences in my reading life. Here are eight nonfiction titles to
put on your reading list.

Looking to the Past

A Brief Stop on the Road from Auschwitz by Goran Rosenberg
(Other Press, Feb. 2017): In this prize-winning memoir, Rosenberg, who
grew up with all the optimism of baby boomers everywhere, contrasts his
life with that of his father, who settled in Sweden after surviving a
Nazi concentration camp. Can this father and son truly ever understand
each other's perspectives? The Pen and the Brush by Anka Muhlstein
(Other Press, Jan. 2017): The subtitle of Muhlstein's newest book gives
us a clue to what's inside: "How Passion for Art Shaped
Nineteenth-Century French Novels." Zola, Maupaussant, Balzac, and others
were strongly influenced not only by contemporary paintings but also by
the artists themselves, including Manet and Renoir. A fascinating look
at the mutual influences in subject matter and style.

Meeting Famous Women

Victoria: The Queen by Julia Baird
(Random House, Nov. 2016): Thanks to the power of television, we are
all getting to know the longest-reigning monarchs of English history,
both of whom were/are queens. Baird's well-researched biography has won
critical acclaim and many starred reviews. Here is the true story of the
transformation of a sheltered girl into a powerful, global ruler. California Dreamin' by Penelope Bagieu
(First Second, Mar. 2017): One of the queens of the American folk scene
was Cass Elliot, aka Mama Cass from the Mamas and the Papas. Most
people remember her music and that she died way too young. In black and
white drawings, Bagieu introduces us to Cass before the fame--and her
name change--and details her struggle to make a name for herself in
world of music.

Contending with Genetics

The Family Gene by Joselin Linder
(Ecco, Mar. 2017): When Linder started to have medical issues in her
twenties, she and her doctors took a look at her family history and
discovered a unique genetic mutation that explained the early death and
range of physical aliments suffered by many of her relatives. What does
it mean to live with a rare genetic condition? Where does one find hope
and answers . . . and peace of mind? Linder's story will give you a lot
to think about. Food Fight by McKay Jenkins (Avery, Jan. 2017):
Once upon a time, people grew, bought, and ate food. Just food. Nowadays
we are eating pesticides, preservatives, and additives and even our
fresh food is not what is seems. Is that potato an old-fashioned spud or
a Frankenstein's monster of a vegetable, otherwise known as a
genetically modified organism (GMO). Are GMOs something to run from or
are they answer to feeding the world as the environment deteriorates and
population increases? Jenkins promises to show us both sides of the
argument so we can make up our own minds.

Learning about Our World

The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan
(Norton, Mar. 2017): Did you know the Great Lakes make up one of the
largest sources of fresh water on the planet? For that alone, they
should be protected and treated with respect. Unfortunately, as
journalist Egan reminds us, the lakes are on the brink of environmental
collapse. After careful research and investigation, Egan not only
tells us the very bad news but offers ways to save this critical
resource. The Greatest Story Ever Told--So Far by Lawrence M. Krauss
(Atria, Mar. 2017): In his newest book, theoretical physicist Krauss
tackles some of humankind's most enduring questions: What is the nature
of reality and what is our place in the world? The journey to
understanding involves moving from the familiar world around us into the
farthest reaches of the universe and then down to the smallest of
particles. The difficult topics covered in this book are tempered by Krauss's accessible
style, humor, and pop culture references.

Thanks for this list. I like good non-fiction and seem to be reading more lately. I'm interested in reading The Death and Life of the Great Lakes. I was born on Lake Michigan and am so sad to see it is in danger.

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About Me

I'm a freelance book editor, reviewer, and journalist blogging as Beth Fish. On these pages, you'll find book reviews, book features, and other bookish content. I like to spotlight my favorite imprints and I'm a long-time audiobook lover. (I was the Audio Publishers Association's 2016 Audiobook Blogger of the Year!) Each Saturday I host my popular Weekend Cooking feature. Don't forget to look for my weekly photograph. You can find me on social media as @BethFishReads. Publicists, publishers, authors: please see my review policy. NB: I did not work on any book mentioned on this site.

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